Anodising 'speaker grilles. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

mikelect · 9th Oct 2005, 3:56 pm

I have a couple of radios with anodised aluminium speaker grilles that seem to have lost the finish in places. Has anyone any idea if they could be re-anodised? I've seen mention of it somewhere but no details on what would be involved.

Mike

Radio_Dave · 9th Oct 2005, 4:19 pm

Hi Mike,

Not sure what colour your after but I recently sprayed a gold metal grill, from a Bush radio, with Plasticote Brass and the result was superb

.

It's also worth checking that your grill is actually anodized in the first place, wipe a discrete area with acetone and see if it comes off

Regards
David

mikelect · 9th Oct 2005, 5:44 pm

Thanks Dave. The actual colour I need is silver and I agree there are some very good metallic paint finishes available, but I was interested in anodising as the finish would be more authentic. I'll probably end up spraying them anyway!

Mike

Kat Manton · 9th Oct 2005, 7:03 pm

Hi,

To restore an anodised finish, you'd need to electrically remove the remains of the anodising first, polish the item, then re-anodise it. Frost - http://www.frost.co.uk/ do an anodising stripping kit (£89), and an anodising kit (£100) - all a bit on the pricey side but it's possible to do it. Probably only worthwhile if you know you'll be anodising a significant quantity of aluminium. Remember that the prices I've quoted may not remain current for too long!

Yet more potentially useful stuff from the classic car world

Regards, Kat

Paul Stenning · 9th Oct 2005, 8:19 pm

Is there a local plating/anodising firm that could do it for you. If you're paying cash and aren't in a great hurry it probably won't be very expensive!

9th Oct 2005, 3:56 pm	#1
mikelect Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK. Posts: 799	Anodising 'speaker grilles. I have a couple of radios with anodised aluminium speaker grilles that seem to have lost the finish in places. Has anyone any idea if they could be re-anodised? I've seen mention of it somewhere but no details on what would be involved. Mike Last edited by Darren-UK; 21st Aug 2007 at 10:15 pm. Reason: Excessive use of emoticons.

9th Oct 2005, 4:19 pm	#2
Radio_Dave Nonode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 2,543	Re: Anodising Hi Mike, Not sure what colour your after but I recently sprayed a gold metal grill, from a Bush radio, with Plasticote Brass and the result was superb. It's also worth checking that your grill is actually anodized in the first place, wipe a discrete area with acetone and see if it comes off Regards David

9th Oct 2005, 5:44 pm	#3
mikelect Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK. Posts: 799	Re: Anodising Thanks Dave. The actual colour I need is silver and I agree there are some very good metallic paint finishes available, but I was interested in anodising as the finish would be more authentic. I'll probably end up spraying them anyway! Mike Last edited by Darren-UK; 21st Aug 2007 at 10:17 pm. Reason: Excessive use of emoticons.

9th Oct 2005, 7:03 pm	#4
Kat Manton Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,700	Re: Anodising Hi, To restore an anodised finish, you'd need to electrically remove the remains of the anodising first, polish the item, then re-anodise it. Frost - http://www.frost.co.uk/ do an anodising stripping kit (£89), and an anodising kit (£100) - all a bit on the pricey side but it's possible to do it. Probably only worthwhile if you know you'll be anodising a significant quantity of aluminium. Remember that the prices I've quoted may not remain current for too long! Yet more potentially useful stuff from the classic car world Regards, Kat Last edited by Darren-UK; 21st Aug 2007 at 10:13 pm. Reason: Defunct link removed.

9th Oct 2005, 8:19 pm	#5
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Re: Anodising Is there a local plating/anodising firm that could do it for you. If you're paying cash and aren't in a great hurry it probably won't be very expensive! __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster